Teach IBM WebSphere Portal to do new IBM Lotus Sametime tricks with the Connect Web API toolkit

Charles Price, Jr., Advisory Software Engineer, IBM Software Group

Van Staub, Staff Software Engineer, IBM Software Group

November, 2008

Learn how to improve response time and create better feature integration when you connect IBM Lotus Sametime to IBM WebSphere Portal. Discover the differences between the new Connect Web API toolkit and the older Sametime Links API toolkit, as well as the benefits of using the Connect Web API toolkit.
With users demanding richer and more responsive Web experiences, integration between IBM WebSphere Portal and IBM Lotus Sametime can be complicated. However, administrators can now improve response time and enable more robust feature integration, in comparison with the now-outdated Sametime Links application programming interface (STLinks API) architecture. To accomplish these benefits, use the Connect Web API toolkit that's new to the IBM Lotus Sametime 8.0.1 Connect client.
Administrators with earlier IBM Lotus Sametime servers can use the Connect Web API toolkit; however, the toolkit is only available within the Connect 8.0.1 client. For example, an administrator with an IBM Lotus Sametime Connect 8.0.1 client can use the sample with an IBM Lotus Sametime 7.5.1 server, but not the reverse.
The Connect Web API toolkit helps administrators solve problems related to overhead costs, irregularities resulting from a dual directory, and varied implementation across products. This decreases the integration point's cost of technical ownership. Collaboration features within IBM WebSphere Portal are primarily offered through an API known as the Person tag. Developers can add the Person tag to deliver business cards containing user information, awareness, and other collaborative features.
To demonstrate the benefits of the new Connect Web API toolkit, we'll first review the older STLinks API and why people needed a new solution. Then we'll explain the architecture and benefits of the Connect Web API, including its collaboration features and performance. We'll also teach you about the Connect Web API's implementation and framework, comparing the old STLinks API integration with the new Connect Web API integration. Finally, we'll provide sample steps for integrating the IBM WebSphere Portal Version 6.1 server with the IBM Lotus Sametime 8.0.1 Connect client so you can see the advantages of the Connect Web API toolkit for yourself.

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